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Climate change is one of the most important and controversial topics in GCSE Geography. The AQA specification requires you to understand the evidence for climate change, distinguish between natural and human causes, and evaluate the relative importance of each. This lesson provides the knowledge you need for a thorough and balanced answer.
Climate change refers to a significant and lasting change in the average weather patterns over an extended period (typically decades to millions of years). The Earth's climate has always changed naturally, but the current period of warming is occurring at an unprecedented rate.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Climate | The average weather conditions in a region over a long period (30+ years) |
| Weather | The day-to-day conditions of the atmosphere (temperature, rainfall, wind) |
| Global warming | The recent rise in average global temperatures, particularly since ~1850 |
| Greenhouse effect | The natural process by which certain gases trap heat in the atmosphere |
| Enhanced greenhouse effect | The intensification of the greenhouse effect due to human activities |
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